James American Mustard Gin 700ml

James American Mustard Gin comes from James Gin, the range created by television presenter and writer James May and developed with master distiller Hugh Anderson. It stands as May's third release in the lineup, originally launched under the cheekily anagrammed name American Ramstud as a limited experiment before overwhelming demand brought it back permanently under its true name. The gin sets out to distill the essential flavor of American fast food, specifically hot-dog mustard and dill pickle, into a genuine, well-constructed spirit rather than a novelty.

The recipe centers on yellow mustard seed and gherkin, built out with juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, orange peel, bay leaf, caraway, ginger, dried tomato, rosemary, cubeb pepper, and liquorice root. Unlike most gins in the range, which are compounded, American Mustard is fully distilled, giving the mustard and pickle notes a more integrated character rather than sitting on top of the spirit. The dried tomato adds body and a subtle smoothness, while the gherkin contributes a briny counterpoint that keeps the mustard's heat in check.

The nose offers a surprisingly balanced mix of tangy pickle and sweet mustard, lifted by aromatic herbs from the rosemary and bay. On the palate, the gin is savory and gently warming, with mustard heat sitting front and center but staying light rather than overpowering, while coriander and juniper provide a familiar gin backbone underneath. The finish carries a faint peppery glow from the cubeb, closing on a note that's distinctly more barbecue than botanical garden.